Chicago Bears' Trevathan could be on track for best season yet
Inside linebacker Danny Trevathan has played so well this season that it's easy to forget he suffered a season-ending torn patellar tendon just 11 months ago.
The six-year veteran's contributions have been apparent in all phases of the defense. He's second on the team with 39 tackles, 1 behind Christian Jones; and Trevathan has already tied his single-season personal best with 2 sacks to go along with 3 pass breakups and a fumble recovery.
"He plays the run and the pass, which you've got to do in this league because at linebacker, that middle level, you end up doing both," coach John Fox said. "He's a good blitzer. He's got good explosion. He's got good cover ability. He's just good at what he does."
Fox was the Denver Broncos' head coach when they drafted Trevathan in the sixth round in 2012 out of Kentucky. In 2013 and 2015, he was the leading tackler on the Broncos' elite defenses.
"He adopted a role right away on a pretty good defense," Fox said. "He ended up winning a starting position. To do that you've got to be in your (play)book and have a grasp of what we're doing."
Fox recruited Trevathan to the Bears in 2016 free agency, but he was healthy for just nine games. He also suffered a fractured thumb but missed just two early season games. The knee injury sidelined him for the final five games in 2016.
"Unfortunately, last year he missed quite a bit of time," Fox said. "This year, getting back into playing that position takes a minute. (But) I just see him getting better and better."
Another dual threat:
Rookie Alvin Kamara is doing for the Saints what Tarik Cohen does for the Bears - maybe even better. The third-round pick out of Tennessee is averaging 6.3 yards per carry (215 yards on 34 attempts) and has 29 receptions for 209 yards and a 7.5-yard average.
He's the latest in a line of dangerous and versatile Saints change-of-pace running backs and an ideal complement to RB1 Mark Ingram (389 yards on 89 carries, 4.4-yard average).
"Very good all-purpose back," Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said of Kamara. "They seem to have a niche for finding them there. They had (Reggie) Bush, they had (Darren) Sproles, now they've got this guy. He's a good runner, too.
"He's not just a halfback (catching passes) out of the backfield kind of guy. He gets the hand-offs and runs the ball effectively. They're playing him more and more, and you can see why. He's a multi-purpose, versatile back."
For comparison, Cohen has 27 receptions for 228 yards and an 8.4-yard average to go with and 226 yards on 50 carries and a 4.5-yard average.
Different viewpoints:
Offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains, as a former quarterback, has his opinion on what constitutes good offense. Head coach John Fox, whose background is on the defensive side, has a different opinion.
"You guys know 'Foxy,'" Loggains said. "The game he talks about more than any is when (his quarterback) completed 2 passes and won a game. Someone just told me a stat where he's been involved in three of these things."
In 2011, Fox's Denver Broncos defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 17-10 with quarterback Tim Tebow completing 2 of 8 passes for 69 yards. In 2006, Fox's Carolina Panthers downed the Atlanta Falcons 10-3 as quarterback Chris Weinke completed 4 of 7 passes for 32 yards. Last week Mitch Trubisky completed 4 of 7 passes for 107 yards in the Bears' 17-3 defeat of the Panthers.
Injury update:
Wide receiver Markus Wheaton (groin), linebacker John Timu (ankle/knee), cornerback Sherrick McManis (hamstring) and defensive end Roy Robertson-Harris (hamstring) did not practice Friday and are doubtful for Sunday.
Center Hroniss Grasu (hand) and running back Benny Cunningham (hamstring) were limited and are questionable. Quarterback Mark Sanchez (flu) and wide receiver Dontrelle Inman (non-injury) were full practice participants, as were guard Kyle Long (ankle) and cornerback Bryce Callahan (neck), who were removed from the injury report.
For the Saints, right guard Larry Warford (abdomen) remained out and won't play Sunday. Offensive left tackle Terron Armstead (shoulder) and wide receiver Michael Thomas (knee) were full participants.
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